Automotive products & components

Gas components for vehicles

Kiwa offers testing and certification services of automotive components for LPG, CNG, LNG and hydrogen sectors, as well as electromagnetic compatibility and several climatic tests. Kiwa is authorized to issue the E4 certification by the Dutch Vehicle Authority (RDW), one of the most renowned certification authorities in the world and the KBA (Federal Motor Transport Authority) of Germany.

We carry out testing according to several Regulations and, based upon our test report, RDW or KBA issue an E4/E1 type-approval certificate(s) which are accepted, without any additional National requirements, throughout the European Union.
Thanks to the expertise and flexibility of Kiwa’s laboratory team, you will benefit of the high commercial value of Kiwa’s certifications.

Kiwa can offer a wide range of tests, such as:

• Shock temperature test, in extreme conditions
• Pressure cycles (up to 1,000 Bar)
• Test and pressure cycles with real gases (such as LPG, CNG or Hydrogen)
• Determination of Kv or Cv value (estimated flow)
• Mechanical resistance test, in extreme conditions
• Exhaust and combustion tests (NOx, CO, CO2, etc.)
• Bonfire on gas cylinders 
• Ballistic test on gas cylinders
• (Bio)gas analysis

Kiwa can certify the compliance of your products to the following standards:

ECE R10 Directive on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
ECE R110 Directive on approval of components of motor vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG) in their propulsion system
ECE R67 Directive on approval of components of motor vehicles using compressed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in their propulsion system
ECE R115 Directive on approval of retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of LPG or CNG in their propulsion system
ISO15500 Directive on compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system components

Outside Europe, Kiwa can support you for the testing and certification in many other marketplaces, such as North America (thanks to an agreement with CSA) and Australia (thanks to an agreement with SAI Global).

Air conditioning Kiwa has been accredited by RDW also for E4 certification of air conditioning components and systems according to R706/2007 regulations.

Kiwa Gastec Certification
Your knowledge center for alternative fuels

• Hydrogen – It’s the clean fuel par excellence. At the end of the combustion process the only emission is water vapor, absolutely harmless. Hydrogen can be obtained by reforming traditional fuels like natural gas (methane), LPG, methanol, diesel fuel or oil. 
• CNG – Compressed Methane.
• LNG – Liquefied methane (-163°C). 
• Methanol – A liquid that can be obtained from natural gas, with comparable emission levels. Hydrogen is quite simple to obtain from methanol and it is used in fuel cell vehicles. 
• DME (dimethyl ether) – A fluid that can be synthesized by methane, comparable to LPG, used in diesel engines. Its exhaust fumes do not contain soot or NOx
• Biogas – A gas that is obtained by organic waste (green waste, wood and paper)
• LPG - Liquefied Petroleum Gas, a product of oil refining

Hydrogen Laboratory

 Kiwa is accredited by the Dutch Vehicle Authority (RDW), one of the most renowned certification authorities in the world, for testing automotive vehicles using Hydrogen according to the new Directive No. 79/2009 (Dir. 79/2009). Kiwa can also test according tot the HGV 3.1.

Because of the stricter requirements of the environment and the manufacturers, Kiwa built a test centre for automotive vehicles using Hydrogen. This hydrogen laboratory (H2 lab) is unique in Europe and there is no other facility with the same test options. In the hydrogen laboratory (H2 lab) we can test in extreme conditions till 1.100 bar hydrogen. Besides we can test between -50 till 120 ºC.

A wide range of services 

Besides certification, we can also perform controls on gas stations.

Of course, our work in automotive sector refers only to the most recently updated versions of standards, thanks to our presence in ISO and CEN technical committees, which develop and draw up technical specifications and standards.

1. Materials testing
Kiwa Gastec Certification can perform all kinds of tests on materials, such as corrosion tests, tyres compatibility to fuels, defect analysis, aging of plastic components due to thermal shock. Moreover, the electronic components can be tested for electromagnetic compatibility, including emission of radio interferences.

2. Safety controls and defect analysis
Kiwa Gastec Certification can perform safety controls and risk analyses on fuels, fuel tanks and engines. We can identify the real causes for malfunctioning through defect analysis, in collaboration with product development departments.

3. Demonstrative pilot projects 
Kiwa Gastec Certification has conducted several demonstrative projects in the Netherlands. Some examples are natural gas fed taxicabs, barges, garbage trucks, road cleaning vehicles and corporate cars. Such projects are sources of pride of the “Green Image” campaign of firms and local authorities.

4. Training
Kiwa Gastec Certification can offer specific corporate training, tailored to the needs of the firm and to the level of participating staff.

Kiwa Gastec Technology
Fuel cell reformers and refueling stations.
A hydrogen-based economy should ideally use hydrogen that is sustainably obtained from wind and solar power. Unfortunately, so far, this process cannot be performed in a cost-effective way. At present, for fuel cells, we do not have any alternatives to the hydrogen that is extracted through reforming of hydrocarbons (i.e. fossil fuels, such as natural gas, diesel oil and petroleum). Kiwa Gastec can develop vehicle on-board reformers or reformers that can be installed in refueling stations.
A fuel cell generates energy electrochemically, through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The energy operates an electric engine, which conveys the movement to the vehicle wheels. Fuel cells can lower the CO2 emissions in urban areas.

Important websites

- Information concerning the European type approval and related procedures can be found here. 
- Regulations can be easily and free downloaded here.

Press release: 
Kiwa recognised by the RDW as a test centre for the new guideline on hydrogen-powered vehicles (R79/2009) 

We are at your complete disposal for any kind of information you may need, so please contact us!